MERIT will place up to two teachers in Dr. Haag's laboratory at University
of Maryland, College Park. The Haag
Lab examines how animals evolve the ability to reproduce
without mating. For this work, the model nematode genus Caenorhabditis is
used. These small worms are easily grown in culture, and have powerful genetic
and genomic tools developed over the years by thousands of researchers around
the world. Most importantly, Caenorhabditis species vary
as to whether their two sexes are male and female (the ancestral form) or males
and self-fertile hermaphrodites. Self-fertility has evolved at least three
times in this group. Summer research assistants will assist in studies aimed at
understanding how hermaphrodites evolved, involving advanced techniques for
manipulating genes. In addition, by comparing homologous genes from closely
related species, assistants will come to better appreciate the genome as the
product of an ongoing evolutionary process. Teachers will be expected to
create and implement a classroom activity in the Fall 2016 based on their
summer research experience.

Selected participants will be expected to work full-time (up to $2,880 stipend
available) in Dr. Haag's lab on the University of Maryland College Park campus
for most or all of the period from July 5 - August 12.